Apparatus for manufacturing ice



June 3, 193, p. K. W NER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20,1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet IVENTOR.

TTON

June 3, 193%. D. K. WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE 7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April -20, .1928

A TTORNE Y.

jut 1e 3, 1930.

- D. K. WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20, 1928 7Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 3, 1939.

D. K, WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20, 1928 7Sheets-Shef 4 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

J1me A D. K. WARNER l,760,9'?2' APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING- ICE June3,1930. -D. KLWARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20,1928 ,7 SheetsSheet 6 Saw INVENTOR. ozglasifi'. Warnez;

ATTORNEY.

June 3 7 Sheets-Sheet D. K. WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE FlledAprll 20, 1928 v INVENTOR. flmgmlif Warnez;

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 3," EQBQ re STAT was? DOUGLAS K. WARNER, OF BRISTOL,CONNECTICUT APPAitATUS FOR jmnnuracrunme ICE Application filed April 20,

This invention relates to improvements in ice making apparatus and hasfor its primary object to provide, in a manner asherem'after set forth,a means for producing ice of mainmum density, entirely free from thecore A-further object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus for thepurpose as'a'fore said, wherein the cooling medium may be circulatedbetween the cans continuously during the freezing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for'thepurpose as aforesaid, including means for circulating a r moderatethawing medium between'the cans J after the freezing operation iscomplete to loosen the ice cakes from their respective cans, therebyfacilitating the removal of the ice cakes and without damage thereto,such as shattered or cracked ice causedby too warm a thawing medium.

A further object of the invention is to providea means for lifting thecakes of ice from the cans with a yielding upward pull.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a means forautomatically removing the cakes of ice from the cans when the cakeshave been sufficiently loosened from the inner surfaces of the cans topermit the removal of :3 the cakes without damage to the cans.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a

means for expeditiously removing the cakes of ice from the cans andtransferring the cakes to a storage room, platform, or truck,

without. cracking corners and scarring with tongs. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for thepurpose set forth including means for pre-cooling the water 1928. SerialNo. 271,633.

beforeit is introduced into the circulating system.

' A further object of the invention is to pro-. 'vide an apparatus ofthe class abovementioned, which may be assembled i as ATEN o 'FIcE n aminimum of space and with which a maximum output of ice may be-handledby one man.

A further object of the invention is to protioned wherein all manualhandli 'vi'dean apparatus of the classabove menng of the ice, ice cans,can covers, air agitating equipment andthe like is eliminated.

Other'objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thedescription.

' In the use of'ice making apparatus following COH- structed inaccordance with my invention, all core sucking and air. agitation iseliminated. Also a great deal of the manual labor connected with theoperation of an ice plant; is eliminated, such as lifting can covers,adjusting air connections,core sucking. filling and handling cans andtransferring the ice to thehauling trucks. Where open top-trucks areused, the ice cakes mav. be lifted from their cans. with the crane whichoperates over the freezing tank and loaded directly onto the trucks,thereby reducing the loading time,

ingplatform. As the operator and the space ordinarily'required for aloadpulls the cakes with'the aid of the crane. hecan load or store thesame unassisted." Where a siding extends to the apparatus, a car may beloaded by the operator of the. apparatus with thirty tons of ice infortyminutes.

smaller storage room is required, due to the fact that the ice is kepttiered therein as the cakes are pulled from the freezing tank, con-'sequently a small building may be u The ice cakes are more uniform andclearness, and are not subject to occa-' sed. in weight sional white,cakes. the usual white tops and cores, and broken off corners.

Due to the special shape and thickness of the ice, a

heavier cut thereof may be placed ice box than is possible with icetured inthe ordinary dimensions.

In the accompanyingdrawings, in which like numerals are employed to desiparts throughout the same,

in a small manufacgnate like Zia " ing to my invention.

a Figure 1 is a fragmentary view inside elevationof an ice makingapparatus'iaccord- Figured is a fragmentary view in ectional elevationof the apparatus and illliS- f trating a take of ice removed from .oneofthe cans',':,

.Figure2 1s a v vertical, transverse seetio n 1' taken at apointindicated by the line 2-52 of Figure-1 v t i I Figure 3 is afragmentaryviewipartlynin "section and in top plan of the freezing tank,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section of the water tankincluding jone of the brine coolers located in the water tanklf and'showing two of the water circulating pro.- -1.

lire-2, Figure G-isaview similar to Figure taken at right anglesthereto,

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, lonfgitudinal, Vertical sectionthrough the freez- 25 'ingamodified-form'of In invention, =1

, Figurej9-:isa sect1on ta en on line of Elgure 8,

. Figure 10.-is a fragmentary taken ,on line 1010 of Figure 8.,

Figure 11 is a'sectio'n taken on line 11 -11 of; Figure 12, showing oneof the insulatingplates in elevation,

through the freezing tank, adjacent the water openings of a pair ofcans,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective.

view of an ice cake removed from its can,-

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13,

of an ice cake produced by the modification shown in Figures 8, 9 and10,

' Figure 15 shows in front and edge ,eleva:

' tion an ice cake lifting hook,

Figure 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in sectional plan of thecovering means for the spaces between the cans, 1 c

Figure 17 is a section taken on line 1717 of Figure 16.

I accomplish the foregoing objects and results among others, by thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafterdescribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein thenumeral' 26 designates generally. an engine room which is of usualconstruction and is fitted with standard equipment.

The freezing tanks, indicated generally at 26 are arranged in a batteryof any number desired, each freezing tank 26 being disposed over a watertank, indicated generally at 27, and each freezing tank preferably beingof a size to accommodate multiples of twelve ice cans, each can- 'ofwhich is designated generally by the numeral 28.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical section,

having downwardly tapering ends 29 and lside's; 29" and 3Orespectively,'the cans being hfdisposed in spaced relatiytn within thefreezing tank 26 and with t e? bottom 31 of the {freezing tank beingcommon'to all the cans. The sides 3016f adjacent cans 28 are securedtogether at their, upper edges by means of a ch'annel bar 32:,which'extends between the ends and 34.0f the freezing tank 26, beingsecuredtosaid ends and terminating beneath the horizontalflanges '35 formed onthe upper edg'e'of the; freezing tank. The outermost cans-are alsosecured to the sides of the tank iinthe'same manner. ,The opposingsides,30

of adjacentcans 28 are disposed with their 1 upper portions respectivelyresting against the-outer sides of the channel bar 32 and are securelyanchored thereto by means of suitable holding devices'such as shown at36. The cans 28 are secured'to their common bottom 31 by means fof achannel bar 38 extending between opposing sides of adjacent cans forthe?entire length of the' cans, being seated i j I Jon a layer of packing 37interposed therebea view similar to Figure 2 sho'w tween and the bottom31 and further being firiveted to opposing sides 30 of adjacent cans.

28, an angle iron." 39 which extends for the length of the cans beneaththe bottom 31, and

rest on the'bottom 43 of the water tank 27 the legs 42 being secured inplace on the bottom 43 by means of suitable brackets 44.

With the cans disposed as above described within the freezing tank 26,in spaced relation to the ends 33 and 34 and sides 45 of v the tank, andin spaced relation to each other, a space is provided around the entireside and end surface of the cans for the circulation of-brine. The sides30 of the cans 28 are pressed inwardly at regularly spaced intervals,thereby providing vertically extending angular rib-s 46 within the cansand corresponding grooves or depressions 47 between the can's. A closure48 is provided for the top of each groove 47 which consists of atriangular frame member soldered on the upper edges of the walls of thegroove.

Formed in the bottom 31, adjacent one endof each can 28, is an opening52, which has depending therefrom into the water tank 27, a spout 53,said opening 52 and spout 53 forming a water inlet to the can. Formed inthe bottom 31 adjacent the oposite end of each can is a similar opening54 and spout 55 which forms an outlet to the can.

Extending across the water tank 27 from side to side thereof is arearwardly inclining baffle plate which divides the lower portion of thewatertank into two compartments. The forward portion ofthe tank 27 isfurther divided into two compartments for its'entire depth by means of awall 57. An ope'ning58 is formed in the wall 57, Within which ispositioned one or more propellers 59, secured to a shaft havingintermediate connecting means with the i-"en'gine room 25. for therotation of the propellenlj The water in the tank 27 isdrawn byfthepropeller ,-59:

through the opening 58 iinktliew all 57 and forced'th'rou gh the inlets52' int the cans 28, across the cans and through thei ij'autlets' 54back to the rearward portion of thefltank.

The water in gr near the bp'ttom of the ra, wa-rd portionf'of the tank27' i s' relatively quiet, duetof'the baffle plate '56, permitting theimpurities ii'nflthe 'waterto sink belo'w'the upper edge offth e bafile'plateiwhichobstructs the passage ofs'uch impurities to'the propelvler59.- The impurities a'reQficolle'cted immediately inrear of the baffle,plate as indicated at 61 and drained through. t -pipe 62 to a filter62', and thence pumped back to the tank through pipe A-pipe indicated at64 which may be connected with a city water supplyorrthe lil e,: leadsto another filter-63, and the filtered water passesgthrough a pipe 65 to.a float chamber 66 located at one side of the freezing tank-26. Thefloat chamber 66'is provided with an opening 67 into the tank 27 v bymeans of which the float chamber 66 and tank ".27 are in constantcommunication. Since the tank 27 and cans 28 are alsoin constantcommunication, the level of the water in the cans maybe maintained bythe float 67 in the float chamber 66, thereby constantly.

maintaining the water 'in the cans 28 at the proper level and at exactlythe same level in all of the cans.

A set of expansion .co'rls 68 is disposed within the space on each sideof the cans 28,

- preferably three of such coilsbeingcontrolled with one expansion valveas 69. The coils consist in all of ten lengths each, which extend forthe full length of'the cans 28, beingv looped and returned at each endof the freezing tank 26 as clearlyfshown in Figure2. As ammonia flowsthrough the expansion coils 68 the liquid evaporates increasing theamount and velocity of the gas and to pre-' vent pressure drop and lossI employ oneinch piping for the first four lengths, one and one-quarterinch for the next three lengths,

' and one and one-half inch for the last three lengths of each coil.Each pipe therefore almost completely fills the space between the canWalls which musttaper to facilitate ice removal. The ammonia passes'fromthe last length of each coil to a common pipe 70 which leads through anopening 71- into a shell 72 which is disposed in the water tank 27 andextends from end to end thereof through the baflle plate 56. A suctionpipe 73 is provided with two branches 74 entering the side oftheshell172, through which pipes 74 and 73 the ammonia is returned tothe engine room v25 tobecondensed and returned as liquid to theexpansion valves 69.

To support .the coils 68, I provide in certain of the grooves 47,preferably alternate ones, vertically ex- .tending bars 50, providedwith lateral openings'49, for. the passage 'therethrough of the bolts53., one of the, tie bolts being disposed beneatlif each length of thecoil 68.

n thd'iextreni lower and rearward portion the tubes75 'ope'n' into anoutlet chamber 77 formed exteriorly of the forward Wall of the tank 27.3Disposed within the outlet cham- ':ber is apropeller 78 which is mountedon a shaft 7 9-having a suitable connection with the engine room 25 forthe rotation of the propeller. The brine is drawn by the propel-f 1 ler[8 through the tube 7 5 into a relatively large pipe 80, through whichit may be con-'.

ducted to ,an opposite tank where it will be subdivided to passbet-weenthe walls of"12" cans of the opposite tank whence it will fiow througha. passage similar to 84, 83 and 85 back through a brine cooler similarto 72 and drawn by another propeller similarjto 7 8 and back to pipe 81where it is subdivided to pass through ;12-ca11s of the first tank. Thusif anypropeller should stopthe opposing p'ropeller keeps the brine incirculation.

' Dispo {d within the shell 72 are a plurality "f brinetubes 75 whichopen at their rear-s ward ends into' an inlet chamber 76 disposed.

of thewateietank 27. The opposite ends of I if any brine cooler or pipecoil fails refrig-- eration ismai'ntained at almost full capacity.

eliminate air therefrom and passes into a header 83 common to all thecans 28 and located exteriorly of the rear wall 33of the freezing tank26. The header 83 has a valve controlled inlet 84 for each set of threecans and has one outlet 85 leading to the inlet chamber 7 6 to the brinetubes 75, from where the brine is a ain subjected to the action of thepropeller 78.

The brine is slightly colder where-it enters the spaces between the cans28 at the .forward ends thereof causing premature freezing at theforward ends of the cans,

thereby freezing the inlet water opening first which prevents floodingover of the low end of ice as would occur if exit opening froze first.As clearly illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, an insulating plate86 isdisposed be 1 tubes 93 which extend through the'water; in y Y the floatchamberto'a point adjacent the -fortween the coils 68 and the lowerpartof the cans at both openings 52 and 54:;sothatlthe passages will remainopen and'perm it water circulation until the core at the to short es 88aredisposed at ogieiside nd over-the short pipes 81 and are controlledby a valve 89. Disposed horizontallyfiof. the rear wall 33' of the tank26 is' alwarmbrine return pipe 90 which is connected-with a short pipe91 for each setoi-gthree cans, each. of

which short pipes maybeicont-rolledhy avalve 92 ifdesireda Thepipe-90;extends slightly beyond one side Aa5'ofthe freezing tank '26,and through the rearward gend .wall of the float. chamber 66.Wit-hin'th'e floatchamber 66, .the pipe 90 isrlividedinto a plurality ofward walls of the; latter where the tubes 9,3 are reassembled into thesingle pipeyor header-187 which'passes through the forward-wall of thefloat chamber 66 .for extension aliing-the for war'clwwall of thefreezing tanki 2.6i'as above described. Suitable-means is provided tothe circulation'of the warm brine such as centrifugal pumpfor'the like.i '5 -I provide a cover for each' of'thecan'sj which consists of'a topport-ion '94,'preterabl otwood, which. rest on the upperv edges vo theend walls 29'and side walls 30 of the can, and a lower insulationportion '95,"preiierably-i of balsa wood, which issecured to the under!to overflow the top oftheiormed ice and come between the end and sidewalls of the can. A

surface of the topportion and fits snugly plurality of suitably-spacedlongitudinal slots 96 are formed through the cover=portions 94 and'95and at the slottedpoints, the portions 94 and 95 are divided intosections 97'havin ofiset abutting faces 98. Before the free-zinoperation the splitstraight shank 99 of a lift- 1 ing hook is insertedthrough each ofthe slots into the water inthe can. The protruding,portion ofthe hook is in the form of an eye, 100, having an insulatedportion 101, thereby adapting the shank 99 as an electric conductorbetween opposing sideportions of the eye 100 when said portions areconnected with any suitable electrical source.

' Disposed inparallel relation to the transverse horizontal plane of thefreezing tank 26 at a suitable distance above the top of said plane andspaced outwardly from the'ends 33 i and 34 of the tank, is a pair oftracks 102, each carrying a pair of rollers 103. The rollersr 103 areprovided with spindles 104,.which are journaled into the respective endsof a beam 105, adjacent the sides of thebeam. The beam i 105 ;issupported in parallel relation to the longitudinal, horizontal plane ofthe tank 26' and may be moved between the vertical planes ert:

6 for enga of sides Carried by the beam '105is a'plurality'ofspacedipulleys 106,;ea'ch 1' being' adapted; to, have passed thereover acable 107' A' plurality of; pinions and l ythe'heamIlO Qthe' tlf eon'ofithe 'cablesl07. Seeu'redx d jo the'cableslO7'are-hooks'lll"mentiiwiththe respective eyes 100 i of the lifting hooks havingt-heirshanks-f109r frozen in the ice. T1,.The hooks 1; 11 are formed. 1 withhelical springs 112, in. orderthata yield- I pull-may be exerted on the:ice cakes.

Eachbt the pinions 108 is actuated byacon-g. f

ventional motor, not shown. the motor-being] equipped with a] cut-offswitch of; any well. knownconstruction, whereby the motor' may beadapted'to carry-a predetermined loadand automatically stop when theload is increased. V

In the operation ofmy apparatus, water is admitted through thefloat;'ch'amber166 to" the tank 27; When the, waterfris'es; over thebafileplate 56, it is drawn bythejpropeller 59 me the inlets 152wthe-cans 28;.and 'flowsthrough I" the outlets 54 back into U thev tank27. The fleet 67" in the floatfchamber 66-- is Set to maintainfthe waterin "the-float '7' chamber fata predetermined level and when? -thewaterinthe Jeans 28 reaches the same vel "as that in the float chamber, thesupply thereby constantly maintaining the water n all-the cans'at;exactly the same level, prefrably': two inches below the brine level onthe outsideof the cans,"whereas in all other ice making operations-thewater level rises during freezing and-causes unagitated water suddenlyinflcontactwith thecold can wall making white tops; In this system thelevel never rises; due'to continuous pulling of ice evelin all cansbytheinlet fioatvalve.

ion, cold brine is-admittedfrom. the header 81- into the freezing tank26, where it cirthe; float chamberis cut oil by the that nd'continuous.readjustment ofthe water .Atjthe beginning'ofuthe freezing operaculatesaround the sides and endsof the, cans 28 to the header 83' in the rearof-the tank,

. tubes '75;

' At thesame time that the cold brine is admitted to the tank 26,ammonia is.ad

mitted through the expansion valves 69 into .the expansion coils 68. Thecoils 68 passbetween-the sides 30 of the cans 28 through thebrine in thetank 26 and empty into the shell 7 2 disposed in the water tank 27.After cooling the brine tubes 7 5 in the shell 72, .the ammonia issucked through the pipes 74 and 73 to the engine room 25 to be condensedthence to theinlet chamber forthe." brine '7 entire height thereof.

The formation of the ice within the cans by preventing corroding of themetal within the tank and keeping the cans cold for the starts at thesides of the latter and is facilitated by the grooves 47 formed in the Lin advance of the outlet 54, preventing outersurfaces of the cans, whichpermit a greater surface of the can sides 30 to be attacked by the coldbrine andbring the surface nearer the center of theice, thus decreasingthe ice thickness, carrying the heat away, and so greatly acceleratingthe freezing. Due to rapid circulation of brine and direct expansioncoils the freezing time for the entire length of the cans is practicallythe same, however, the inlet 52 closes sli htly flooding of the lowerend of the can as would happen if outlet closed first. The cans slopeapproximately an inch and a half to correspond with the waterheadnecessary to produce a rapid flow of 'water, across the can. Thecirculation also removes the air bubbles which cling to the ice surface.

When the ice is completely formed, it is preferablypulled from the cansin sets of.

three. Before pulling the ice, the ammonia Valve 69 for the set to bepulled is closed and the ammonia in the coils 68 allowed to drain off tothe shell 72. The valve tothe header 82 for the set to be pulled isclosed and the cold brine shut off. Then the warm brine valve for theheader 82 is opened and warm brine is circulated around all surfaces ofthegcans and out at the rearward end to the pipe 90. 'The'warm brine iscooled by the cold interior of the tank 26 so it is'piped through thetubes 93 located in the float chamber 66, where the brineis warmedbefore being returned to the header 87 and at the same time the water inthe float chamber is cooled before being passed to the tank 27.

The operation of valves for pulling one set of 12 cans is shown inFigure 1. The ice in the three cans fed by valves 151 and 152 have justbeen pulled, the warm brine valve 151 is closed and cold brine valveopened to start freezing of the fresh water which entered the cans asthe ice was pulled. joining tanks governed by the valves 153 and 154,the warm brine running through, valve 151.- The first of the three cakeshas been pulled before admitting the cold brine to the adjoining chambersince one wall of this cake is part of the adjoining cans brine passage.The handle of tli'e valve'153 is shown down indicating the cold brineshut ofl. The handle of valve 154 is indicating warm brine en--,

In the adtering. At the opposite ends of the cans no valves areessential since if brine flows n from one supply it must flow out to thesame supply or the brine levels in the two supplies would vary forcingthis to happen. Valves 155 and 156 like wise show the warm brine.

to be flowing and the cold brine 156 shut off.

The operator has just started to thaw these cans. The numeral 157 showsthe cold brine still flowing in the next set but the expansion valve 69has been closed giving a chance for the liquid ammonia in the pipes todrain or .be evaporated before entering the warm brine around them. Thethawing operation takes Y about 2 hours and is so gradual as to neverinjure the ice. In a plant of 120'cans one set of cans is pulled every50 minutes so that there are no long waiting periodsand correspondingpeak loads on the motors large quantities of warm water are admitted atonce.

After the circulation of the warmbrine through the tank 26 has loosenedthe ice cakes from the inner surfaces of the cans 28 sufstarted and ifthe cake is not sufficiently loosened from the canto permit its removalwithout damage to the can the motor is stopped by a switch opened byexcess stretch of spring 112. Whenthe ice cake is loosened 'a suflicientdegree the ice floats up and the springs collapse, the motorautomatically starts and the cake is removed from its can with the coversections 97 resting on the cake. The springs 112 formed in the hooks 111break the electric contact for the hoist motor when the stretch causedby the ice clinging to the side wall-s is too great. -As soon as the.

cake clears the can, the cover sections 97 may be removed from the cakeand replaced on the can. I

The engine room 25 may be equippedwith suitable means for moving thebeam 105 with its depending ice cake-to a truck, car, platform, orstorage room, as desired. After the cake has been. deposited wheredesired, suitable electric terminals may be connected to the sideportions of the eyes 100 to loosen the shanks-99 to permit their readyremoval from the ice, or if desired, the shanks may be loosened byapplying hot wvat er thereto. VV-hen the cakes are to be shipped bytruck to distant distributing stations, a number-of them may be handledas one by passing a bar orth'e like through the eyes .100 protrudingfrom the respective cakes. In this manner the cakes may be kept togetherand the loss due to breakage greatly reduced.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 8,9, and 10, the cans 113 areformed with The tiableactuating motoris then rounded corners 114: to.form an ice cake as illustrated in Figure 14:.

In one form of my invention, a header 115 is provided in the forward endof the freezing tank 116, by means of which cold brine may be suppliedto the spaces surrounding a set of cans, preferably three in number. The

.header 115 is provided at its bottom with an inlet 117, which iscontrolled .by a valve 118, having a valve rod 119 extending upwardlythrough the tank. A similar header 120 is provided at the rearward endof the tank 116 having a similar valve 121 and valve rods 122 forcontrolling the outlet 123 to the brine chambers located under headers115 and 120. I

A warm brine header 12 i extends along the entire width of the tank 116at the forward end thereof which has valve controlled out lets 125leading into tank ends 115 and a pipe opening at end of pipes 126.Opening the outlet 125 also uncovers the end of pipe 126 so that brinewill circulate through pipe 126 only when Warm brine outlet 125 is openand the pipes leading from 126 will therefore do no freezing but willloosen the ice from the bottom of the can when the thawing is turned onto loosen ice from side walls. The pipe lation and in their dispositionalong the bot-.

tom 128, one of the branch pipes 127 is-adj acent each side of one ofthe cans 113. Each of the branch pipes 127 is tapped by a connectionpipe 129 and each of the pipes 129 is divided into two branch pipes 130which lead to the header 120 in the same manner as the pipes 127, beingdisposed under cans adjacent to the can over the pipes 127. .A valvecontrolled outlet 131 leads from the header 120 to a warm brine returnpipe 132.

The operation of the modified form of my invention is the same as thatabove described in connection with the first form described except withregard-to the circulation of the cold and warm brine. During thefreezing operationin the modified form the valves 118 and 121 are leftopen and-'the'eold brine circulates continuously between and-around thetanks 113, entering through the inlet 11:7,and leaving through theoutlet 123.

When it is desired to loosen the ice cakes from the cans prior topulling the cakes, the valves 118 and 121 are closed. Warm brine is thenlet into the header 115 where it flows between cans to header 120an-d'also into the pipe 126, whence it flows through the pipes 127, 129,and 130 to the header 120 at the rearward end of the tank and thence toreturn pipe 132. Thus it will be seen that, due to being conductedthrough the pipes contacting with the under surface of the bottom of thecans, the warm brine attacks the bottom of the ice cakes to release thebottom as well as sides.

Due to the great ease of pulling and han dling this ice it may be madein thinner blocks than standard without excess labor for additionalpieces. This in turn greatly increases the output of a given size plantand moreover makes possible symmetrical dimensions for the small sizepieces. Thus a piece measuring 9 x 10% x 10% is substituted for thepresent piece, measuring 11 x 11 x 6 which weighs 20% less but will notgo into'the small ice boxes without lots of time lost in chipping andwhich melts quickly when put in due to the thin section. As the bulk ofthe trade requests the smallest piece available and as the xpense of theice consists mostly of putting the ice in the box, a more expensivepiece which requires less work and time to install is highly desirableto the manufacturer as well as giving more service to the consumer bylasting over to the next filling time. In. the shape used in this systemthe thinnest section of the final ice cut constitutes the thickness ofthe Whole block so that time, space, cans and power are not wasted infreezing ice to a great thickness and then cutting it off in thinslices.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown anddescribed are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and thatvarious changes in thesize, shape and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is: a

1. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of cans disposed-in spaced relation therein, each of saidcan's having its bottom formed with an opening adjacent each endthereof, means for continuously circulating water to enter each canthrough the opening at one end thereof and to leave the can through theopening at the other end thereof, and means for continuously circulatinga cooling medium within the tank to surround the cans.

2. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having a pluralityof cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tank located underthe freezing tank, each of said cans having its'bottorn provided with anoutlet opening and an inlet opening respectively disposed adjacentopposite ends of the canstoestablish communication between the watertank and cans, mechanical propelling means for circulating water throughthe water tank into the inlet openings, through the cans, and out of theoutlet openings, and means in the water tank and between the out- Y letand inlet openings for the cans for o'b-" 3. An ice making apparatuscomprising a freezing tank having a plurality of cans dis-v I watertank, and abaflle plate disposed trans versely of the water tank betweensaid openstructing the passageof impurities through the Water tank.

posed in spaced relation therein, a Water tank located under thefreezing-tank and provided with-openings into the bottom of the cansadjacent each end of the latter, and a propeller in the. Water tank tocontinuouslycirculate water into the openings at one end of the cansandout ofthe said cans. p l v 7 4.;"An ice making apparatus comprising,a freezing tank having a plurality of cans dis- I posed in spacedrelation therein, a water tank I located under the freezing tank andprovided E with openings into the cans'adjacentthe ends of the watertank and cans, mechanical pro- 1 pelling means for circulatingwater-from one end of the water tank into one endf'of; the cansif,fother end thereof,"means,acting on the'brine' 7 Within the freezingtank to freeze. the water and from the other end of the cans i ilto'th'eings. v .1

'5. An ice making apparatus com r1s1ng,-a

I freezing tank having a plurality 0 cans disposed in spaced relationtherein, a water tank having its interior in communication with the.interior of the cans,-mechan1cal propelllng means for circulating watercontinuouslythrough the cans and water tank, a

cooling medium receptacle located in the water tank and having itsinterior in communication with the interior of the freezing tank,

and means for continuously circulating a cooling medium through .thereceptacle and freezing tank to freeze the water in the cans andchillthe water in the water tank.

6. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a Water tankhaving its interior in communication with the interior of thecans,'mechanical propelling means for circulating water continuouslythrough the cans and water tank, a shell located-in the Water tank, anda'series of ammonia expansion coils disposed between the -cans andemptying into the shell.

7. An'ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a Water tankhaving its interior in communication with the interior of thecans,mechanical propelling means for circulating Water continliouslythrough the cans and water tank, a shell located in the Water tank, aseries of amino,- nia expansion pipes disposed between the cans andemptying into the shell, a brine receptacle disposed Within the shelland having its lnterior in communication Withthe inteopenings at the.other end of water tank and cans, a cooling medium receptacle locatedin the water tank and having its ends respectively in communication withopposite ends of the freezing tank, and a propeller in one end .of thereceptacle to continuously circulate a cooling medium through thereceptacle and freezing tank.

9. An ,ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of; cans disposed in spaced relation therein, mechani--- calpropelling means for continuously" circulating water to enter'the cansadjacent-one end thereof and leave the cans 'adja-centthe 'other'endthereof, means for continuously circulatingbrine to enter-the freezingtank,

atone end thereof'and leave the tank at the;

within the cans, and means actingon the, brine outside ofthe freezingtank to cool said brine and chill the water outside of the-cans.

afreezing tank having a plurality of cans:

'disposed in spaced-relation therein, a water tank 1ocated }under thevfr. =,ezing tank and" provided with openings into the bottoms Tofthecans adjacent the ends of the latter, I,

' -10.' An ice makingapparatus. comprising,

theo'pening at one end of the cans. and out of the opening at theopposite end of the cans to wash any impuritiesprecipitated bythefreezing water into the, water tank, means for confi'ningthe impuritiesin the-water tank to a portion of the water therein, means forwithdrawing said portion of the Water from the water tank tov befiltered, and means for returning the filtered. water to the water tank.

11. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein and adapted tohold a cooling medium forced therein under a head, a water tank locatedunder the freezing tank and provided near its ends with openings intothe bottoms of the cans at opposite endsof the cans, mechanicalpropelling means for continuously circulating Waterthrough the watertank and cans and through said openings, and means connecting the watertankwith an external Water supply to maintain'a constant uniform Waterlevel in all of said cans below the cooling medium level in the freezingtank.

' 12, an; ice making apparatus cnn prising, lifree'iing disposed 1nspaced relation therein, a water tank disposed beneath the freezingtank, each of said cansh aving itsbottom provided ad tank having aplurality-bf cans ing tank, the top of the water tank and hottoin of thefreezing tank and cans all being common, a channel bar seated on thebottom and having its sides secured to opposing sides of adjacent cans,an angle iron disposed beneath the freezing tank bottom, and extendingbeyond the opposed sides of adjacent cans, means for forcing the channelbar and angle iron toward each other, and legs supporting the angleirons on the bottom of the water tank.

14. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tankhaving aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, and an insulatedcover for each of the cans, said covers bein'g' formed of separablesections and being provided with longitudinal slots at the joinders ofsaid sections.

l5. Anice making apparatus comprising, a freezing .tank having aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, the bottom of thecans being formed with openings adjacent the ends thereof, means forcontinuously circulating water through the cans into and out of theopenings, means for continuously circulating a cooling medium betweenadjacent cans from one end to the other of the spaces between thecans,means for re-cooling thecooling medium between successive entrancesbetween the cans, and insulating plates within said spaces to hold thecooling med um out of contact with the cans adjacent the openings in thebottom thereof.

16. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, means forcirculating water through the cans, means for circulating a coolingmedium between the cans to freeze the water withi; the'cans into cakesof ice, means for circulating a thawing medium between and under thecans to loosen the cakes of ice from the inner surfaces of the cans, andmeans for exerting a constant pressure on said cakes of icejduring thethawing operation to automatically remove the cakes when they areloosened from the inner surfaces of the cans.

17 An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having a pluralityof cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tank located under.the freezing tank and provided with openings into the bottom of the cansadjacent each end of the latter, a propeller in the water tank tocontinuously circulate water through the water tank and cans into theopenings at one end of the cans and out of the openings at the otherendof said cans, means forcirculating cold'brine between the walls ofthe'cans to freezethe water, and

means forcir'culating warm" brine therebetween to thaw the ice.

18. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having aplurality ofcans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tanklocated under the freezing tank and provided with openings into thebottom of the cans adjacent each end of the latter, and a propeller inthe water tank to continuously circulate water into the openings at oneend of the cans and out of the openings at the other end of said cans,means for circulating cold brine between the walls of the cans to freezethe water, and means for circulating warm brine therebetween and underthe cans to re- 19. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tankand a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, said canshaving downwardly tapering sides provided with inwardly pressed inportions to form said supports in pairs and supporting said coils.

20. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having aplurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, the bottoms ofthe cans being formed with openings adjacent the ends thereof, means forcontinuously circulating water through the cans into and out of theopenings, means for contin uously circulating a cooling medium betweenadjacent cans from one end to the other of the spaces between the cans,means for recooling the cooling medium between successive entrancesbetween the cans, a coil within each space between the cans for coolingthe cooling medium within the'space, and an insulating plate disposedbetween each coil and a side of each adjacent can adjacent each openingin the bottom of the latter.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

DOUGLAS K. WARNER.

spectively thaw the sides and bottom of the

